Birmingham City Council planners approved an application for a large modern and innovative office building at the heart of Longbridge town centre yesterday (Thursday 27th February).
Overlooking Austin Park, it is expected that the building will create a further 450 jobs once occupied.
Developers St Modwen have dubbed Two Park Square: “An ideal space for a modern workforce […]” with a private rooftop terrace, a reception lobby, a café, an informal meeting space, showers and changing facilities.
With a huge total floorspace of 61,354 sq ft, split across four floors, the building will also include a 125-space car park and secure indoor storage for 48 cycles.
As part of wider public realm improvements, a new cycle route will be introduced through Austin Park in 2020, which will connect the town centre with its neighbouring communities such as Rubery, Rednal and Northfield.
Robert Flavell, Head of Major Projects for the Midlands and North, said: “Longbridge is fast becoming a hub for innovative living and working. Our proposed design reflects a campus style that sits at the very heart of the town and would make an ideal headquarters for a business looking to relocate to a suburban setting.
“We’re currently at full occupancy for commercial space in Longbridge so this development presents a unique opportunity for a business to take advantage of new-age office space that’s modern and ideally located.
“Longbridge is already a brilliant place to do business and we’re committed to diversifying its offer and truly unlocking its potential for the next phase.”
Andrew Venables of Avison Young and Nick Williams of Savills, joint agents for the site, added: “Two Park Square is innovative in its own right and will be the only development of its kind south of Birmingham. Increased investment and development in Birmingham and the wider area means it’s a pivotal moment for Longbridge to continue to build on its proven credentials as a business destination.
“There’s a real appetite for out-of-town space and we’re confident Two Park Square will drive continued growth in the local area.”
Find out more: Visit the Two Park Square website
Smashing more offices that will be for rent for years just like the ones across the road. Why not more shops instead or a warehouse with stuff from all over the world inside it.
Is this really going to create a further 450 jobs once occupied? I suspect that people already employed will be moved into them from elsewhere.
The ‘creation’ of jobs seems to be a recurring theme used by all developers to justify planning applications.
Rubbish was 40.000 people working there going back 100 years building cars. What’s going on there now is just BS. Should never be allowed to do it!!!!! Let’s all give up then and move to China or Germany them countries know us brits are a total joke now
I agree with Andy, so typical of these large businesses thinking of what is best for themselves, trying to turn Longbridge into a smaller version of the city centre which has vast become a mini version of London.
The Regeneration of the Longbridge area has already had a detrimental effect on Northfield Village, with shops closing and nailbars and barbers opening etc. There is only so many and area can take before Northfield itself will be swallowed up and disappear.
Why hasn’t any investment been put into Northfield to help regenerate the area, is it because they are not interested in the general public who live in and around the area and what they would like?.
I have lived in and around this area since 1970, seen all the regeneration and decline of the area. Pull your finger out and invest in Northfield for a change, give us our pride back and stop creating so many business areas.
V.